Sierra Jobs First Governing Council Approves $9M in Catalyst Funding to 40 Planning-Phase Projects that Create Inclusive, Climate-Forward Jobs in the Sierra
March 24, 2025 – (TRUCKEE, Calif.) The 21-member Governing Council of Sierra Jobs First, a regional collaborative representing seven counties in the eastern and central Sierra in the statewide California Jobs First initiative, voted on Friday to award a total of $9M to 40 projects meeting the pre-implementation, planning-phase criteria for Catalyst funding under the initiative, and with the most potential to align with regional strategies to grow climate-resilient, equitable jobs in Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Mariposa, Mono and Tuolumne Counties.
“The overwhelming response to the Catalyst RFP was truly inspiring, showcasing the innovation, determination, and dedication of our region in advancing an inclusive and climate-forward future,” said Alex Bloom, non-voting chair of the Sierra Jobs First Governing Council. “Recognizing the strength and diversity of the submitted projects, the Council reached a clear consensus to fund as many eligible initiatives as possible, ensuring broad regional impact and support for transformative solutions.”
“As regional conveners, our team is proud to have worked collaboratively with the diverse communities of the Sierra through months of engagement and hundreds of hours of thoughtful dialogue to create a funding slate that reflects our region’s unique needs and aspirations,” said Erika Harvey, director of economic empowerment, Sierra Business Council. “We look forward to continuing to nurture the connections forged through this process as we bring the Sierra Jobs First vision to life, whether through California Jobs First funding or other opportunities.”
Pending completed contracting, a list of projects (and lead applicant) receiving at least partial funding in Friday’s vote are:
| Title of Project | Organization |
Arnold Water & Power Biomass Plant (AWAP) | Phoenix Biomass Energy, Inc. |
Building Climate Resiliency in the Central Sierra Region | Calaveras County, Resource Conservation District |
Business Catalyst Program | Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) |
Central Sierra Regional Compost Systems Planning Project | California Alliance for Community Composting (CACC) |
Central Sierra USDA Meat Processing Facility Feasibility Study | UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Central Sierra |
Chipmunk Canyon Existing Conditions Analysis | Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) |
CHIPS Growth and Infrastructure Initiative | Calaveras Healthy Impact Product Solutions (CHIPS), Chicken Ranch Rancheria Me-Wuk Indians of California |
Creative Reuse Community Arts Center of Tuolumne County | Tuolumne County Arts Alliance |
Developing an Innovative Biomass and Timber Inventory and Predictive Growth and Yield Model for the Central Sierra Nevada Region to Foster Forest and Bioeconomy Development | Yosemite Clean Energy |
Eastern Sierra and Western Great Basin Tree Nursery Feasibility Study | Alpine Biomass Collaborative |
Eastern Sierra Regional Campground Improvements and Jobs Creation | Mammoth Lakes Trails & Public Access Foundation (MLTPA) |
Eastern Sierra Regional Climate and Recreation Jobs Creation | Mammoth Lakes Trails & Public Access Foundation (MLTPA) |
Eastern Sierra Regional Collaborative (ESRC) Capacity Incubator | Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) |
Eastern Sierra Regional Trail System and Jobs Creation | Mammoth Lakes Trails & Public Access Foundation (MLTPA) |
Entrepreneur Center of the Sierras (ECS) | City of Sutter Creek |
Hybrid EMS Training Program | Beyond Limits Education |
Investing in our Shared Future – A Vision to Strengthen Nonprofits and Grow Local Giving in the Eastern Sierra | Eastern Sierra Foundation |
Jamestown Specific Plan and Model Toolkit for Town Center Revitalization | Tuolumne County Community Development Department |
Keep Sierra Green | Calaveras Chamber of Commerce and CalAsian Chamber of Commerce |
Long Valley Ecovillage | Eastern Sierra Investment Group, LLC |
Nuumu Solid Waste Collection and Recycling Authority | Bishop Paiute Tribe |
Nuumu Transit Authority Project | Bishop Paiute Tribe |
Pathways to Prosperity: A Regional Multimodal Safety and Recreation Initiative | Amador Trail Stewardship |
Regional Training Center Feasibility Project | Columbia College |
Remaking the Eastern Sierra Food System | Eastern Sierra Farm Fresh |
Sierra Founders Academy | Central Sierra Economic Development District (CSEDD) |
Sierra Jobs First Industrial Arts Training Program: Strengthening Workforce and Higher Education Pathways for a Resilient Sierra Economy | Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) |
Sierra Region Community Health Worker/Promotor Program | Resilient Public Health Services |
Sierra Regional Arts Organization Collaborative Network | Eastern Sierra Artists |
Sierra Sourced | Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce |
Strategy to Action: Mobilizing Leaders, Data and Capacity for a Resilient Economy | University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) |
Sustainable Mobility Partnership Program | Motherlode Bicycle Coalition |
The Blue Heron Project Feasibility and Development Project | The Blue Heron Project |
The Collaborative Sustainable Recreation Assessment | Sierra Nevada Alliance |
The Sierra Nevada Alliance Natural and Working Lands Careers Initiative | Sierra Nevada Alliance |
TIHP Mobile Dental Clinic | Toiyabe Indian Health Project |
Tri-County Recreation Economic Impact Study – Inyo, Mono & Alpine Counties | Alpine, Inyo, & Mono Counties |
Tuolumne County Programmatic CEQA Development for Wildfire Fuel Management | Tuolumne County, Administration Office |
Water and Wastewater Apprenticeship Program | Mother Lode Job Training (MLJT) |
Wildcat Ranch Regional Training Site | Sonora Union High School District (SUHSD) and Mother Lode Job Training (MLJT) |
The projects awarded Catalyst funding were selected from a total of 47 projects that responded to the Catalyst RFP, which was open for submissions from October 15 – December 15, 2024. The scoring process incorporated state guidelines regarding allowable Catalyst expenses, along with metrics ensuring alignment with the Sierra Jobs First regional Strategic Plan, which was developed through a 16-month process of engagement with hundreds of local government and tribal representatives, industry experts, community benefit organizations and involved community members under the guidance of the Sierra Jobs First fiscal agent and regional convener, Sierra Business Council.
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About Sierra Jobs First: Sierra Jobs First is a regional initiative working towards high-quality job growth, climate resilience, and economic prosperity in Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Mariposa, Mono and Tuolumne counties. This region is one of 13 collaboratives across the state that was formed through California Jobs First (formerly the Community Economic Resilience Fund), a $600 million fund that will create high-quality, broadly accessible jobs for all Californians. This project is facilitated by staff at Sierra Business Council, a 501c3 nonprofit that serves the region.